TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) spoke at a World Cancer Day event at Huashan Creative Park in Taipei on Tuesday, stating the goal to reduce the domestic cancer mortality rate by one-third by 2030. 

Lai said early cancer screening and treatment is a right that should not be disrupted by partisan politics. He urged opposition parties to reconsider his administration’s desire to lower the cancer screening age and expand the number of cancer screening categories covered by the national health insurance, per UDN.

Lai said cancer has been a top 10 cause of death in Taiwan since 1985. More than 50,000 people die each year from cancer, a health hazard similar to that of other countries.

Lai said the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan is in its fifth phase. He said his administration increased the budget for cancer screening by NT$4 billion (US$1.2 billion). 

However, the legislature reduced administrative expenses for cancer screening by 10% and froze another 30% of the budget. Lai said the budget cuts for administrative expenses will make cancer screening more difficult for citizens.

Lai vowed to fight for more funds to fight cancer. He pledged continued negotiations with opposition lawmakers to ensure citizens can protect themselves from illness.